Seoul Sees Unprecedented Surge in Foreign Tourism, Welcoming Over 1.5 Million Visitors in April

June 1, 2026

Seoul has experienced a remarkable resurgence in foreign tourism, as April saw the city welcomed over 1.5 million international visitors. The surge is bolstered by a diverse influx of tourists, particularly from the United States, China, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan, highlighting Seoul’s appeal as a premier destination for shopping, wellness, and luxurious experiences.

Officials report that the substantial growth in tourist numbers represents not just a rebound from the pandemic but a marked enhancement of Seoul’s status as a global travel hotspot. The dynamic tourism scene is attributed to varied offerings that engage high-spending travelers, indicating that the city is entering a new phase of both quality and quantity in its tourism sector.

Spending Boom: Visitors Spent Over 1.15 Trillion Won in April

The city’s tourism landscape is not only recovering but thriving, with foreign visitors collectively spending more than 1.15 trillion won ($762 million) in April alone, as outlined by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This impressive financial input underscores the reality that tourist expenditures have surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

Comparatively, international arrivals saw an 18.8 percent increase from 1.3 million visitors in April 2025. Over the first quarter of the year, visitor totals reached 5.2 million, representing a significant 21.4 percent rise from the same timeframe last year, when only 4.28 million tourists streamed to the capital.

Further statistics from the Korea Tourism Organization reveal that foreign credit card spending in Seoul climbed to 1.153 trillion won in April, indicating a remarkable 50.5 percent year-on-year growth. This strong financial activity signals a transformative shift in the tourism sector as Seoul outgrows mere recovery and embraces an era of enhanced growth.

When looking at the breakdown of expenditures, Seoul accounted for an impressive 72.3 percent of card transactions by foreign tourists in April, with total foreign spending across South Korea, including online purchases, totaling 1.999 trillion won.

Shopping remains the dominant area of spending, claiming 45.4 percent of total tourist expenditures. Medical and wellness services were responsible for 24.8 percent, while food and beverage purchases accounted for 13.1 percent, and accommodation contributed 11 percent.

Diving deeper into the specifics, spending at large shopping malls saw a remarkable 62.5 percent increase, reaching 245.2 billion won, while spending on medical tourism rose by 59.2 percent to 192.1 billion won. Beauty-related services also benefited with a 35 percent increase, underscoring Seoul’s standing as a center for luxury and wellness tourism.

Geographically, Gangnam-gu led the way in tourist spending, capturing 29.1 percent of the total, closely followed by Jung-gu at 27.5 percent. Other districts such as Mapo-gu and Seocho-gu contributed 7.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, demonstrating that tourist spending largely congregates in both traditional hubs like Myeong-dong and upscale locales like Gangnam.

A closer look at the demographics of visiting tourists reveals notable patterns:

China: Dominating the numbers with 440,000 arrivals, they remain the largest source of inbound tourists.
Japan: With 230,000 arrivals and a high repeat-visit rate of 71.2 percent, these travelers tend to stay shorter periods.
Taiwan: Bringing 150,000 arrivals, which enhances East Asia’s strong presence in Seoul’s tourist landscape.
United States: Contributing 130,000 long-haul visitors who prefer lengthier stays.
Philippines: Representing 60,000 arrivals, adding to the influx from Southeast Asia.

Observations from the 2025 Seoul Tourism Survey have highlighted these key differences in visitor behavior. Japanese tourists, although frequent returners, typically have shorter stays of around 3.5 days, while European visitors enjoy longer visits of about 7.5 days with a lower repeat-visit rate.

In summary, Seoul’s robust tourist performance in April illustrates the city’s remarkable resilience and growing appeal as a multifaceted tourism hub. The blend of traditional shopping districts, luxury retail, and wellness services offers diverse revenue streams that enchant international travelers. As Seoul continues to attract discerning visitors, its status as a leading Asian tourism destination is firmly established.

Seoul welcomed over 1.5 million foreign tourists in April, reflecting its strong reputation for shopping, wellness, and luxury experiences as it moves into a new phase of heightened growth and engagement.

As international travel stabilizes, Seoul is set to leverage its vibrant cultural and urban offerings, appealing to a broad array of tourists seeking both high-volume and high-value experiences.

Source: The post United States Joins China, Japan, Philippines and Taiwan as Seoul Sees Foreign Tourist Arrivals Soar Past Over One Million in April Signaling Record-Breaking Growth and Spending Boom first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.